Is Waxing Necessary After Crystal Coating?
3 Answers
Crystal coating eliminates the need for waxing. The benefits of crystal coating include: 1. Creating an isolated barrier between the car's surface and external elements, preventing oxidation and effectively protecting the paint from acid rain corrosion, thereby extending the paint's lifespan; 2. Making it easier to remove dust, dirt, and other contaminants from the car's surface; 3. Reducing damage from external forces to the car's surface; 4. Maintaining higher resale value. The crystal coating process involves: 1. Covering the windshield, license plate, and gaps; 2. Using polishing compounds and ultra-fine swirl removers to eliminate fine scratches; 3. Degreasing the paint surface; 4. Polishing the surface with professional crystal coating cloths.
Generally, no additional waxing is needed after ceramic coating, as the coating itself forms a strong protective layer. Ceramic coating seals the car paint with a nano-layer, providing protection against UV rays, stains, and scratches, unlike waxing which only offers temporary gloss protection. Adding a layer of wax on top may actually interfere with the adhesion of the ceramic coating, reducing its effectiveness. In such cases, I usually recommend car owners to focus on regular car washing—using a neutral car shampoo is sufficient—and checking the ceramic coating every six months to ensure it remains intact. If the paint gloss diminishes or minor imperfections appear, a small amount of wax can be considered as a supplement, but it's not necessary. The key is to invest time in proper maintenance and avoid wasting extra effort on unnecessary steps. This way, the car can maintain its shine for a long time, making trips more hassle-free.
After getting ceramic coating, I rarely wax my car anymore because I find waxing not cost-effective. The ceramic coating lasts for over half a year with solid protection, whereas waxing only works for a few weeks before wearing off, requiring frequent reapplications. I once tried waxing over the ceramic coating—it made the surface look shinier but didn't actually improve stain resistance much, and just added extra car wash costs. Now, I focus on basic maintenance: a simple weekly wash, drying with a soft cloth, and avoiding acidic cleaners to protect the coating. During seasonal changes, like strong summer sunlight, I check the paint condition; if the coating starts degrading, I might consider waxing as a temporary measure. Overall, waxing is just a backup option—after ceramic coating, you can easily skip this minor expense and save a decent amount over time.
